The French Indochina War (1946-54) was the largest of the first generation of post-World War II wars of decolonization as Vietminh insurgents sought to topple their French colonial masters. It was also unique in that the insurgency evolved from low-level guerrilla activity to mobile operations by a large conventional army which finally defeated a large European-led expeditionary force, supported by artillery, armour and airpower. The war's progress was almost entirely dictated by the extreme terrain, and by the Chinese support enjoyed by the Vietnamese insurgents. The actions explored in this study cover three contrasting phases of the war in Tonkin during 1948-52, setting both sides on the path that would lead to the conflict's climactic encounter at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.--PUBLISHER

Introduction -- The opposing sides -- Phu Tong Hoa, 25-26 July 1948 -- Dong Khe, 16-18 September 1950 -- Na San, 23 November - 2 December 1952 -- Analysis: Phu Tong Hoa, 'Second Dong Khe,' Na San -- Unit organizations.